These tips should help you avoid small product neglect and really get those diminutive objects flying off the shelves.

It’s the Little Things

Small merchandise includes sunglasses, toothbrushes, socks, lip balm, pens and candy bars — pretty much anything you could easily hold in one hand.

Given that they’re cheap and compact, shoppers usually don’t mind tossing them into their bags. Plus, when they see indulgences like chewing gum, many people feel a sudden urge to treat themselves.

You don’t need large, bold displays for small merchandise. Instead, you want to nudge people to buy them. To do so, place them on endcaps and hotspots like point-of-sale (POS) displays. You can also put them in your landing, the space adjacent to the front door. That way, virtually every customer will see them, and many will decide on the spot to buy one.

Simple, Symmetrical Success

Think of the shoppers who enter your store as travelers bound for certain destinations. They try to take the most direct route from the door to the items they have in mind. Then they make a beeline to the cash register and back out the door.

Your mission is to put small merchandise displays along those paths so those products will garner more attention. By doing so, you’ll lend balance to your shop — a sense of symmetry, if you will.

Indeed, POS displays near cash registers and doors often make stores more symmetrical and pleasing. Similarly, it helps to coordinate big and small items. For instance, let’s say that one of your popular display cases holds jumbo bags of nachos. Thus, a case with small containers of dip could go beside it.

Small but Mighty

The following three premium displays are especially valuable when you want your small products to make a large impact.

1. Round Displays

Round displays immediately grab eyeballs, and their layered shelves appear harmonious and organized. Moreover, since they’re mobile and adaptable, you can easily redecorate them to celebrate seasonal events.

You can fill such a display case with small goods, or you could create a hybrid display: large items at the base and smaller items above. Bottles, boxes, coffee mugs and hand towels are just a few of the products that are perfect for round displays.

2. Two-Leveled Displays (36″ x 37″)

You can put two-leveled displays as close to your cash registers as you’d like. They’re great for objects that people are constantly running out of, losing or breaking; headphones and phone cords are two examples. As soon as someone sees one of those things in your two-leveled display, it’s likely to trigger an impulse buy.

3. Endcap Displays

Endcap displays represent a top-notch sales strategy. Because they stick to the ends of your aisles, they won’t take up much room or make your store feel overcrowded. They also let you lengthen your product aisles. For example, you could place small bottles of sunscreen on an endcap display attached to your swimming pool aisle.

As a final note, Structural Plastics Corporation (SPC) offers a wide variety of stepped and single small displays. They’re just right for tiny candles, pieces of silverware and all sorts of other small wonders. They’ll maximize your floor space, let you integrate products effectively and send those impulse buys through the roof. The best things often come in small packages, and SPC can help you show off your small packages in the most appealing ways possible.

With the final four pillars constructed for retailer’s, we take a minute to reflect on the series and lessons learned. The pillars are metaphorical ideas that should be used as rough guidelines in crafting your store for success. As the future of retail rapidly speeds toward that of an experiential destination, this guide is meant to help retailer’s shift their brands along the trendy path. From the pillars to real-life examples, the guide incorporates the best tips SPC has to offer to help make your location a true destination for shoppers everywhere.

1. Community Builders

The first pillar of community, offered insight about unifying consumers through practices and group experiences. As retail moves toward specialty-retail, living and experiential combination environments, store’s must offer more. Following Apple’s example, consider adjusting the layout for more community building with social space areas. Offering group classes or creating “member’s clubs” are other great tactics to bring people together and generate a positive identity for your brand.

2. What an Experience!

The main idea of the series was that retail is becoming experiential. What does that mean, exactly? Consumers no longer just want to stop and shop, now they expect an experience from an establishment. Whether you offer classes, sampling or have the funds to provide Virtual Reality (VR) walk throughs, be prepared to bring the WOW! factor.

The task seems daunting, especially for small businesses with limited space and funding. But fear not, for the SPC resource guide provides tips about opening your layout, display designs and incorporating pop-up stations that satisfy those experiential cravings.

F.A.O Schwarz created a pop-up toy land that became an Instagram sensation to the delight of shoppers across the nation.

3. Let’s get Sociable

Here’s a wacky thought, get people talking about your brand and drive connections within your location. The third pillar, socialization, works with the other pillars to generate conversations amongst your audience. Whether through a social media campaign like the toy land or by following the lead of Horrock’s Market, where groceries are accompanied by a dine-in bar, offer experiences that get people talking!

4. Destination Station

That final pillar, destination, encourages retailers to make their stores into places people WANT to travel to. The example best known for its in-store qualities is Ikea. Consider their layout, the food-court availability and massive product selection. Small businesses can still follow this concept by offering unique experiences or brand promotions that keep people coming back. The idea is to have something different in your store that stands out from other locations. Whether that iconic emblem be a display or social piece, tell your story in a way that invites shoppers back to be part of each new chapter.

Retailer’s be Ready

This series attempted to give samples, explore display options and provide insight into the tomorrow of the retail world. The biggest take-away is the focus on providing experience. By combing the four pillars and borrowing elements from other leaders in the industry, your store can be ready for everything that lies ahead. Consider what you offer and how you can take your brand to the next level through layouts, storytelling and community building for a successful market.

Thank you for reading our blog and please continue to follow SPC Retail for more industry tips and display offers. The retail world is always changing, let us help you keep up with it!

]]>http://spc-retail.com/the-four-pillars-resource-guide/feed/0Weather the storms with hair and skin care displayshttp://spc-retail.com/weather-the-storms-with-hair-and-skin-care-displays/
http://spc-retail.com/weather-the-storms-with-hair-and-skin-care-displays/#respondWed, 07 Feb 2018 20:02:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1189In winter, many people struggle with the effects of cold temperatures and dry air. The weather outside and the heating systems inside wreak havoc on hair, skin and lips, and some cosmetics make things worse. For instance, many soaps remove the acid mantle, one of the skin’s protective layers. Thus, dryness intensifies.

Retailers can make it easy for customers to find the skin and hair care products that offer relief — items like chemical-free washes and heat protectants. Specifically, point-of-sale (POS) and point-of-purchase (POP) displays are great tools for promoting such soothing items.

Dry Hair? We Care

Why are winter air and human hair such a bad combo? Let’s start with the cuticle, the outer layer of each hair. When air is dry, cold or both, cuticles shift their position. The moisture within the hair is released, and the hair is significantly weakened.

Also problematic, the strong winds that winter often brings cause tangles. Plus, combing hair in dry air can be a nightmare of split ends and static electricity.

Not to mention, you may have less hair in winter than in summer. Dermatology, a medical journal, studied this subject and concluded that women shed the most hair during the fall.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Winter hair and skin care products are for everyone, but certain items just appeal to certain demographics. Head & Shoulders’ offerings, for instance, are marketed toward adults up to age 34. During the winter, this company especially targets females, though it does gear some items toward men in the 25-35 range.

It’s wise to do some research as to which of your cosmetics attract which groups. Google AdWords is a good resource for doing so. It might tell you, for instance, that women who represent median wage earners frequently select Pantene Haircast.

Equipped with such info, you could create email or social media campaigns that encourage particular age groups to pick up particular products.

Weather the Storm

Throughout the winter, you ought to place your products for skin, hair and beauty in places where every consumer will see them. Naturally, those items should still be available in your cosmetic aisle. However, they should also be exhibited in the areas that get the most traffic. The round aisle display near the entrance of your store and the stands beside your cash registers are perfect spots.

In addition to giving them prime positions, make sure those displays are conspicuous. If they’re eye-catching, they’ll remind people how badly they need to winterize their hair and bodies.

SPC: Beautiful Results

Displays from SPC Retail illustrate just what you want. They’re truly striking, with bold graphics and enticing three-dimensional features such as gift boxes and snowflakes.

SPC’s pop-up plastic retail displays are also highly functional, versatile, affordable and durable. They’re simple to set up, and you can use them for short or long periods of time.

You might keep these displays in storage during the warm-weather seasons and bring them out again every winter. On the other hand, you could leave them up year-round, rotating the visual elements so they’re always seasonally appropriate.

The examples included with this article and all other SPC pop-up displays are ideal for just about any store. They’ll spike your sales, and they’ll help your customers avoid dryness, flaking, skin irritation and other problems as the brutal winter rages on

]]>http://spc-retail.com/weather-the-storms-with-hair-and-skin-care-displays/feed/0Big Name Line-Up: Series Part 4 of Experiential Destinationhttp://spc-retail.com/big-name-line-up-series-part-4-of-experiential-destination-2/
http://spc-retail.com/big-name-line-up-series-part-4-of-experiential-destination-2/#respondFri, 02 Feb 2018 18:22:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1184Whether you own a big box chain or a specialty retail store, experiential destinations are the future.

Customers want hands-on, unique experiences — something that cannot be purchased online. From DIY classes to in-store dining, experiential destinations are making the retail experience more appealing and personal.

A Closer Look at the Four Big Stakeholders of Retail

Retail is changing at a fast pace, creating “gathering spaces” to sustain repeat, long-term business. When you take your customer on an exciting journey, they will connect with your business.

In turn, they become more than a customer — they become part of your community.

The following four stakeholders have already evolved, creating spaces that enhance the customer’s experience. There are shining examples in every industry, allowing you to become inspired. Get creative and put your own spin on this revolutionary concept.

1. Grocery — Dine-In at the Store

One “town square” business is already a leader in this space, providing fellow retailers a leg up when it comes to grocer-influenced experiential destinations. Whole Foods has built a community around customer service and like-minded inclusion. Health-oriented markets with an urban feel are trending — and their popularity is not expected to subside anytime soon.

Customers are demanding unique, sophisticated services. Whole Foods has jumped on this opportunity, dedicating sections of their stores to indoor dining and fresh-to-go cafes. They even offer consultations with nutritionists. From cooking classes to dining stations, the industry is moving away from the traditional grocery shopping experiencing — embarking on a fresh, community-based journey.

2. Powered and Charged Big Box Chains

Companies such as Walmart and Lowes have large budgets that can create and build experiential destinations unlike any other. By offering all four pillars in a “home away from home” experience, shoppers begin to connect with their favorite retailers.

Here are just a few examples:

Lowes, Home Depot, an

d other “home improvement” centers are connecting with shoppers in order to drive sales and enhance productivity. A great example would be live classes offered in-store. Customers would build larger scale products in-store, which they could then take home (or have their project delivered by the company).

Target will soon offer an “open home” experience, where shoppers can view digitalized, home mock-ups. When customers are able to envision products being used in real-time, they better understand both functionality and design. This sparks inspiration and enhances the customer’s experience. Partnering with Bonobos, Walmart will also offer extreme showrooms — creating buzz for the new generation of retailers.

3. Two Green Thumbs Up at Garden Centers

Depending on the location, many garden centers have already taken advantage of this growing trend. To keep their business ahead of the competition, these centers are incorporating experiential elements which create the ultimate customer experience, encouraging a sense of community and socialization.

Depending on branding goals, some centers offer yoga classes, while others reach out to other local businesses. When retailers coordinate their efforts, they both win. For example, incorporating a coffee shop or wine tasting experience in-store. By diversifying the town square experience, customers flock to these one-stop destinations.

4. Specialty Retail — Mix It Up

In retail, authenticity is everything. This is why mixed-use retail will be the future — combining lifestyle and residential areas with urban development. This is one of the truest examples of the four pillars in-action, as the experience is ongoing when one’s living environment is incorporated into retail, experiential destinations.

Whether retail locations choose to incorporate a restaurant in-store or create themes around specific neighborhood profiles, mixed-use centers are breathing life into retail. When a customer can work out, dine and shop all within the same experiential location — everyone wins.

This year, it’s time to make some critical changes. After all, Socrates said it best, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old — but on building the new.”

]]>http://spc-retail.com/big-name-line-up-series-part-4-of-experiential-destination-2/feed/0How to Profit This Valentine’s Dayhttp://spc-retail.com/how-to-profit-this-valentines-day/
http://spc-retail.com/how-to-profit-this-valentines-day/#respondWed, 31 Jan 2018 13:32:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1132Valentine’s Day is an important holiday that has the potential to help many retailers meet their bottom line. Great marketing strategies to get customers through the door aren’t enough, however, to guarantee that merchandise will actually sell. There are several important factors retailers should keep in mind when preparing their store for Valentine’s Day.

Love is in the Air

There are several items that shoppers will primarily be looking for this Valentine’s Day. Mechtronics reports that dining out is the number one way Valentine’s Day is celebrated. This means stores that offer restaurant gift cards should have them prominently displayed in high traffic areas. Candy is the second most sought-after item that consumers will be searching for. Flowers and jewelry are also popular gift items.

According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. consumers spend approximately $136.57 on Valentine’s Day. Total spending has reached $18.2 billion. The majority of people in the United States celebrate Valentine’s Day, making it a great opportunity for retailers. Spending for Valentine’s Day, however, has dropped. There are several things retailers can do to target their audience and boost sales.

Last Minute Tips

Last minute shoppers make up a significant portion of traffic in most stores. Nanigans reports that data supports the fact that many customers, especially men, will wait until the last few days to make their purchases. There are a few things retailers can do to make the shopping experience easier for these types of shoppers.

Keep Items Relevant – It’s important to make sure retail displays are relevant to the holiday and prominently displayed through Valentine’s Day. Make sure to keep displays as full as possible. Picked over, half-empty display stands are unappealing.

Promote the “Best” Items – Stores that sell clothing should promote lingerie and plushies. Groceries will want chocolates and candy prominently displayed in prime areas throughout the store.

Make it Easy – Create attractive displays that feature gift baskets and provide suggestions for items that might go to together. Last minute customers will appreciate items that are already arranged in one package.

Keep it Convenient – Make sure items are in easy to find areas of the store. Areas near the front and high traffic areas should contain a variety of holiday displays. According to allBusiness, setting up displays right outside the front door is a great way to make shopping convenient!

Your Secret Admirer

When selecting high quality displays, it’s important to choose a company with years of experience and a proven track record. SPC (Structural Plastics Corporation) features a variety of attractive, specialty displays. SPC displays can help set the ambiance and attract more Valentine’s Day shoppers to any retail store. There are several ways to use SPC retail store fixtures to present merchandise during this special holiday.

Stepped Displays & Endcaps – These types of displays allows retailers to group popular gifts together, such as chocolates and wine. This makes the shopper’s experience easier and promotes cross-product purchases

Signage on Displays – This makes it easy to sort candies and cards by price. Customers who don’t want to spend a lot will find exactly what they’re looking for in a particular price range.

Simplicity – SPC designs are simple yet effective. Their basic designs allow the products to be the focal point of attention.

Graphics & Color Blocking – Displays that stand out are necessary to attract customers. SPC displays work well with Valentine’s colors such as reds, purples and pinks.

Focal Displays – There are several types of specialty displays available that provide flower hangers.

All of SPC displays are not only attractive, versatile and extremely durable, but are made from 100 percent recycled plastic. Retailers can protect the environment while boosting sales. Setting up a store to engage customers and promote sales is easy with SPC. Contact SPC Retail for more information.

Implement These 5 Tips to Enhance Your Customer’s Experience

Although IKEA and Apple are prime examples of the new Town Square concept, your company may not have the luxury to offer a solely experiential location. You can, however, offer a destination of experiential moments.

By addressing your current displays, you can effectively enhance your customer’s encounter. Well-planned displays can help push products — especially those that are seasonal or promotional.

Tip #1: Address wall and window displays

Nothing is worse than an overwhelmingly cluttered and chaotic store. To maximize space while drawing in retailers, why not utilize wall space and create a window display? Not only will this increase available floor space, it will also tell a visual story. The goal is to create an emotional connection that encourages shoppers to come inside.

How to: Less is often more. Align the displays with your brand, showcasing products that reflect the items or services available. As stated in part one of this series, one of the four pillars of experiential retail is socialization. Window and wall displays allow for open space, where customers can then comfortably meet and communicate with one another fulfilling the pillar of socialization.

Tip #2: Create experiential stations

As a twist on the classic supermarket ‘sample station’ — experiential stations can help you take this idea to the next level. Merit — a Detroit-based clothing retailer –executed a great example of unique, personalized stations by offering customers a custom screen print station and the ability to make custom designs directly on the sales floor. They also incorporated a photo booth so shoppers could share their experience through social media.

How to: Use colors, graphic

and props that showcase your overall brand. For example, if you offer cooking classes, shoppers become interactive consumers who bond as a community. While fulfilling the pillars of community building and creating socialization, one can set up a dynamic display that showcases cooking utensils and other appropriate items to further promote sales.

Tip #3: Enhance creativity: Think outside the box

The idea here is to create out-of-the-box ideas that cannot be experienced elsewhere. Create an experience that makes customers think of you, much like Apple did when incorporating live plants to highlight seasonally shifting product. Incorporate creative and out-of-the-box ideas that can’t be experienced anywhere else. Create your own interactive displays, whether a game station or small coffee space within your store that showcases merchandise while offering an experiential setting that pulls shoppers in. Make these spaces focal points to showcase your products in real time and communities will bloom through interactions. Bon Ton created an Instagram campaign with their holiday toy land that engaged shoppers across stores.

How to: Think ‘interactive’ here — developing displays that showcase merchandise while offering an experiential setting. Some practical examples include a coffee station or an interactive game space. Based on these stations, you will inspire your own community of customers through their interactions, shaping the pillars of socialization once again and generating your brand as a unique destination center.

Tip #4: Create showpieces out of your displays

You want the customers walking out of your store to feel like they were offered a true shopping experience. In addition to great products and customer service, having a unique experience is what will ensure shoppers return time and time again. Horrock’s Market, a market and garden center in Michigan, caters to a wide audience by creating an array of displays, each with its own specialized features. Or look to success of Chicago’s Niketown. They used their shoes and put them on moving display, or arranged the entire store with different products and music to tell a story. The patterns on the walls, on the floors, and even the colors all coordinated to the shoes. It is like a Nike museum of art.

How to: Consider your current customers and your target audience. Think about the layout, the merchandise displayed, and the people you’re aiming to impress. You want to balance on the destination and experience pillars. Create interactions with shoppers, between shoppers and workers as well as between the customers. To do so, first, create a layout that is open and employs fun colors and visuals to pique interest. Second, make the customer feel important by focusing staff and branding attention on them, create a friendly feel through welcoming signs and a comfortable store setting that is easy to navigate. Third, display your merchandise in a way that tells a story or creates a mental image where shoppers can see themselves using, and enjoying, the product.

Tip #5: Make your displays feel like home

What is it you want your store to say about your company’s culture? Whether your brand identifies as hip and trendy, athletic or something else, think about the feelings and experiences you want your customers to have when they walk in the door.

How to: Use décor that mimics the culture behind your brand. Apple, for instance, eats, sleeps and breathes technology and innovation. So, ask yourself — what story do you want your brand to tell? Use your ideas to develop displays that are in-tune with that mindset or culture.

This year, say goodbye to retail and hello to the retail experience. Creating your own experiential destination is not only possible, it is imperative to your growing success. After all, Steve Jobs said it best, “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.”

Finding the right angle is for more than just writers, retailers need a good angle for displaying their products. What better method than through the use of tilt-top displays? Unlike flat displays, tilt-tops are dynamic displays that enhance the customer shopping experience. Utilizing visual merchandising (VM), they draw attention to key products on top shelves and then allow the eye to flow down the display for the rest of the products, generating shopping engagement organically.

In a case study at Gordon Food Service (GFS), SPC Retail store fixtures were a perfect solution to a VM issue, offering multi-shelved tilt-tops that created consistency and stability for the store’s image.

How Do Tilt Tables Work for Retailers?

Retailers and grocers must know how to place their products. VM is all about creating a spotlight effect on your products to increase sales and affect purchase behavior. Tilt-tops can emphasize a simple display, making it an instant focal piece. Consider the appeal shoppers have in the produce section of a grocery store when they see an organized tilt-top display budding with shiny red, green and yellow apples just ripe for the picking.

Rather than using a standard table that holds products below eye level and creates shadow on the merchandise, highlight product attributes through pyramid-style organization. The angled, taller displays even provide additional support for heavier produce for merchants that want to showcase their displays. They’re also exceptional solutions for businesses that want to display boxed items like shoes, while lower shelves serve as secret storage for convenient restocking.

Because customers want to shop without being prompted to buy anything, point-of-purchase (P.O.P) displays can subtly tempt them to last-minute items, so nothing is forgotten. Pop-up displays like tilt-tops showcase items to get shoppers’ attention as they rely on visual merchandising for effective store strategies. Tilt-tops in the storefront can showcase seasonal merchandise and small high-margin items, while displays in store rear can prompt customers to travel through the entire store.

As with any display, there are certain limitations regarding weight restrictions on the tilt-tops. Overflowing the shelves can cause bowing and an unnatural look to the display. Despite minor limitations, compared to many of our competitors, SPC tilt-tops offer metal reinforce bars underneath the plastic for additional strength and wheel options for ease of mobility. Further, unlike wooden tilt-tops our plastic materials will last for years with no virtual wear and tear.

Tilt-Tops in Use

In a case study of tilt-tops at work SPC partnered with Gordon Food Service (GFS) to find the best display solution. The well-known and reputable store needed displays that were more consistent, cost-effective and durable than the bins and wooden pallets they had previously used. GFS wanted to update its stores’ produce fixtures in 2014 because of inconsistencies with cost-ineffective displays that were flimsy, easily damaged and immobile. More than anything, GFS wanted to implement a clean look across their stores that would successfully serve them in years ahead.

SPC Retail worked with GFS to provide the perfect solution. Compared to the wooden islands and slanted frames with plastic bins they were using, SPC tilt-tops allowed for multiple products to be shown on one display. Through collaborative efforts, tilt-top focal points emerged in their store creating a more concise look and organizing produce for customers. The solution allowed for mobility, a uniform look, and strong modular displays that supported a variety of merchandise.

As of 2017, all GFS stores have successfully launched tilt-top table displays. Their ability to adapt the displays to a

variety of products even solved the cost concerns, reducing spending on display replacements. Managers are now able to add to existing displays by adding additional displays to the end of the run.

SPC is the solution to a problem. In this case, tilt-top displays fulfilled a need to better display produce with a consistent store visual while providing stability for heavy produce like apples, potatoes, etc.

The SPC Difference

“The fixtures are very easy to build, providing a clean look, are extremely durable, easy to clean, and flexible, providing many size options, but keeping a uniform look and feel. An area that we feel SP went above and beyond was in the creation of installation directions. In addition to providing written directions, SP met us at a store and videotaped step by step instructions so that our store managers could watch the display being built, which answered many of their questions up front, removing the delay and burden of sending messages to the home office and waiting for a response.” Scott, GFS (From the notes of Matt Bennet, SPC Sales).

With a variety of other size options available upon further customer request, we can customize to fit your needs. SPC Retail has helped numerous grocery clients and retailers who are satisfied with their retail display solutions. These displays can be a solution for your store as well!

SPC Retail offers tilt top displays, not as replacement displays, but to showcase featured products throughout the store. These angled displays give an appealing flow to displayed items and are pleasing to the eye versus flat displays that are unnatural or standard tables. As tilt-top displays are cost-efficient, these visual displays draw increased foot traffic which in turn raises ROI. Visit SPC Retail today.

It’s an exciting time for brick-and-mortar stores. As the whole retail experience evolves, large companies are beginning to recognize the benefits of the “town center” concept.
Based on the support of four key pillars, experiential destinations are becoming game-changers. By providing the consumer with a new, exciting experience, you too can transform your store.

The following real-life examples will provide you with the inspiration you require to kickstart your own unique, creative ideas.

How Retailers Are Using the Four Pillars to Develop Experiential Destinations

Traditional stores and businesses are beginning to see the value in providing gathering spaces for customers. Based on the four powerful elements, or “pillars,” of this model (community, socialization, destination and experience), several businesses are already beginning to make significant progress.

Community

Just imagine, your target consumers under one roof, communicating and enjoying their surroundings. Well, this is exactly what Apple achieved within its stores, providing greater value for its customers.

Upon shifting to “Genius Groves,” it has achieved a unique communication experience. In a spacious area lined with trees, customers can sit side by side with Apple Geniuses. The design creates a more comfortable space conducive for conversation that enhances the customer’s experience.

While consumers meet with like-minded individuals, Apple has the opportunity to market its products to a more targeted audience.

Socialization

Whole Foods has been a large player in experiential structures for years. Its stores’ dynamic layouts and sample stations have provided consumers with a nontraditional grocery shopping experience. More recently, Whole Foods developed its “365” concept, focusing on value, quality and socialization.

By recognizing recent changes in consumer decisions, Whole Foods is able to influence behaviors, interactions and beliefs. At the company’s Sunnyvale location, for instance, it will build a 52,000-square-foot store that will include grocery retail and a full cafe, with talks of a movie theater and other social amenities. The store is expected to open in early 2019.

With more opportunities for people to meet and chat, this concept will increase overall word-of-mouth marketing. Others will want to come visit these types of locations to experience this new concept for themselves.

Destination

IKEA is known for being both an experience and destination location. Based on its stores’ layouts and the company’s overall approach, consumers are willing to go out of their way to visit. IKEA has continued to create stores that are in themselves big statements. Although the largest IKEAs are over 400,000 square feet, it is not just the size that makes them impressive.

It is also how IKEA locations are set up that makes them true destination shopping hot spots. Because of the stores’ unique layouts and changing designs, consumers are continually provided with new experiences. With displays that are fully immersive, guests can touch, see and interact with products. The displays also inspire ideas, showing shoppers how they can mix and match products in order to create a stunning space.

Experience

Horrocks is an independent market that strives to make every customer visit exceptional. Located in Michigan, this garden center and farmers’ market caters to a wide range of audiences. This friendly, family-run business achieves this by offering a range of specialty areas, including the garden area, a full deli and even a tavern.

It is this overall experience that makes this business so successful. Shoppers are willing to make a day out of this gathering space — and, because of the unique approach, return for more.

What Can We Learn from These Successful Businesses?

If you would like to create your own unique retail experience, focus on your brand’s soul. Whether you would like to develop a more interactive experience or create a more meaningful layout, ask yourself how you want to connect with your customers. What is it you want your brand to say?

Consider factors such as your budget, your partnerships or competitors, the weather, the scale you’re willing to achieve, and the amenities you’d like to offer.

Now the exciting part.

It’s time to develop ideas in order to create your own experiential destination, incorporating the four pillars above. After all, as author Kate Zabriskie said, “The customer’s perception is your reality.”

In recent years, thousands of brick-and-mortar shops have closed. Is the end of the line for traditional retail near?

It’s easy to get caught up in doomsday scenarios, but physical stores can still thrive well into the future. The solution is for shops to become more than stores, to transform themselves into gathering spaces that enrich the lives of individuals and communities. It’s a lofty goal, but one that’s exciting for entrepreneurs to realize.

The Town Square Phenomenon

For centuries, town squares have served as social and commercial hubs. Typically, such a square would have a marketplace, a garden, art displays and places for musicians to perform or politicians to speak. A trip to the town square has always been enlightening and fun, it becomes an experiential destination!

These days, individual stores are poised to replicate the town square experience of old. For instance, instead of simply selling groceries, your local supermarket could host farmers markets, wine bars and tasting parties, even other events related to food and beverages.

When it comes to turning stores into gathering spaces, Apple is leading the way. In 2017, it started to call its stores “town squares,” and it began sharing its new concepts. The company announced that its retail spaces would contain a variety of assembly and performance areas including, plazas with trees and boardrooms that businesspeople could use.

The Four Pillars

The notion of reworking your store into a gathering space might seem daunting at first. One way to ease this process and make it more organic is to keep the four pillars of experiential retail in mind. They’re the fundamental building blocks of town square commerce.

As you create a welcoming physical space for your customers and develop programs in which they can take part, these pillars will clarify your vision and guide all of the decisions, large and small, that you’ll make. A retailer that supplies or possesses these four elements is a powerful business force.

1. Community

Your store should help customers meet other people who share certain hobbies or interests. Fashion shows, trivia contests, baking competitions and other social events can greatly boost a retailer’s sense of community.

Educational programs are especially important. For instance, the kitchenware brand Sur La Table offers cooking classes to its patrons. People love to learn new skills. Moreover, when consumers attend workshops, they’ll desire the products being used. With the cooking class, if customers see the instructor utilizing a pasta press effectively, then they will be convinced to purchase one for themselves before they leave. The selling of many other merchandise operates in the same manner. Class demonstrations create a community of people who are shown the solution to a problem and collectively decide to purchase that solution, ie. your product.

2. Experience

When we discuss physical retail, the term “experience” refers to everything customers see and hear from the moment they enter a store to the moment they exit. Their experience also involves the emotions the store invokes and the strength of their connection to the brand. Do they believe that the shop catered to their needs and that the staff members were helpful? Was the time they spent there meaningful, engaging and filled with interesting encounters?

There are numerous tools you can use to create positive and consequential experiences. Video and audio clips, interactive displays, product demonstrations and mini lectures are just a few ideas.

In fall 2017, the clothing retailer Nordstrom opened a store in Los Angeles called Nordstrom Local. Instead of selling merchandise, this space promotes the brand by offering pleasurable experiences by including a salon, bar, spa and more.

3. Socialization

Socialization is the ongoing process through which people develop their own unique identities and learn what behaviors and values are appropriate for their particular social positions and careers.

In our society, these norms aren’t always taught in schools or at home. As a result, some young adults may feel slightly adrift when they start families or enter the workplace. Even longtime professionals can be unsure of what to do in certain circumstances. Fortunately, retail stores can help rectify this situation.

For basic ideas, you might look to New York’s Samsung 837 store. It lets customers see how podcasts and radio broadcasts are recorded. It holds informational sessions for business-to-business pros. It hosts classes that parents and children can take together. Indeed, its opportunities for socialization are compelling and wide-ranging.

Furthermore, your store might cater to a certain slice of the population. For example, your customer base may be comprised largely of women over 65 or young hipsters. As such, your in-store environment could target those groups so as to attract more people. The demographics of your employees, your style of decoration, the personality of your in-store displays and the content of your educational programs could all focus on the socialization of those groups. Thus, most of your customers will relate to your business on a personal level.

4. Destination

Your store should be a place that people feel compelled to visit, even if it’s a long distance from their homes. When they see pictures of it online or hear their friends talking about it, they should make plans to go there as soon as possible.

For an establishment to be a destination, it should be located in a popular shopping center or section of town. It has to be appealing from the outside — clean and bright, with captivating window displays. The well-lit and well-organized interior should be full of bustling activity, beckoning passers-by through the windows.

Additionally, when customers shop at your store, they should feel like they’re in a special place. Think of a roller coaster at a Disney theme park. Every amusement park has roller coasters, but Disney coasters are “magical.” The Walt Disney Company infuses them with vibrant scenery, sound effects, robotic characters and many other details. Together, they weave a spell. Likewise, your store should be bursting with small touches that, taken together, give people an emotional connection to your brand. The friendly greetings of your employees, your catchy background music and your brilliant floral arrangements are just a few things that could set your shop apart.

The Nike Store in Manhattan, which opened in 2016, is a genuine destination. It’s situated inside a beautiful five-story building in the historic SoHo neighborhood, and it encompasses a museum and basketball court.

Experiential Retail Will Save Brick and Mortar

Experiential retail isn’t just happening inside brick-and-mortar stores. In many cases, it’s going on all around them. Many malls are now installing art centers, spas, fitness clubs, performance spaces and other attractions to draw those who wouldn’t come otherwise. If you have a store inside such a mall, you should benefit from the increased traffic.

On top of that, many developers are now constructing mixed-use buildings, complexes that combine living spaces and commercial properties. Most of the people who reside in mixed-use buildings — and their visitors — will repeatedly patronize the adjacent stores. For example, Sunnyvale Town Center in Sunnyvale, California, will include 198 apartments, a movie theater and a 52,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market. Similarly, Drexel Town Center in Greenfield, Wisconsin, which cost $160 million to build, has apartments, offices and even a surgery center in addition to shops.

When it comes to experiential retail, large chain retailers have an advantage due to their vast financial resources. They have enough money to experiment with different approaches and invest in new interactive technologies.

At the same time, though, the experiential retail movement is surprisingly democratic. If you have good ideas as far as turning your store into an absorbing environment, and if you keep the four pillars at the forefront of your plans, you’re likely to see your business boom and your customers beam.

To build your own experiential destination, let the four pillars be your solid foundation. Let community, experience, socialization and destination be the four building blocks on which your retail future brightly stands.

There is currently an overall weak retail environment in the US when compared to European and Asian markets. This is due to an overcapacity of retail space in America and the continued growth of e-commerce platforms. This has caused a significant number of traditional brick and mortar locations to face either downsizing or store shutdowns. To combat the growing competition, retailers need a strategy for reducing their retail footprint while using space effectively.

Rising Prices Could Reduce Purchasing Power

Most people expect price increases from year to year, but a proposed tax bill has the potential to set this into hyperdrive. Analysts predict that everything from apparel to gasoline could go up in price thanks to the bill, and the average American family could end up having to spend an extra $1,700 in the plan’s first year.

This means consumers will have less money to spend with retailers. Because of this, many companies are reducing their inventory and focusing on the display of more limited and niche products. This allows retail businesses to keep their profit margins high even if consumer spending drops.

Too Much Retail Space Leads to Downsizing

America has an overcapacity of retail space. When looking at the country as a whole, there are 25 square feet of retail space for every person in the nation. By comparison, Canada only has 15 square feet per person. This is far more space than is needed, and this is especially the case since many experts agree a recession is coming in 2018.

While downsizing is one way that many retail stores are responding to this trend, others have taken even larger steps. Neiman Marcus, for instance, is converting its current locations into experiential retail space. The growing movement is to use less space in a smarter way, and this trend is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Increases in Focal Point Displays

As businesses reduce their inventories to survive emerging retail trends, they’ll need to make what they do carry more appealing by utilizing big-impact displays. This is why companies are now using focal point displays that can tell a story and attract consumers. This can be as simple as portraying the store’s select availability as a chance for consumers to be part of a unique buying crowd.

The right displays, however, aren’t all that a company can do to make a big impact in a small space. Companies that have proven resilient to economic downturns often utilize the following tips:

Utilization of vertical space: Less retail space doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of products. Displaying products vertically can prove just as successful as having everything at eye level.

Utilize Vibrant Colors: Dull displays simply won’t grab consumers’ attention. Make sure the displays you do have around are vibrantly colored so they stand out to shoppers.

Threat of Recession Hurts Big Players

The market at large currently sees a small chance that a 2018 recession is coming. There appears to be a perception versus reality gap, though, since chief economists put this possibility up at 60 percent. This has already hurt big companies like Sears and Toshiba, but a few strategic moves on the part of business owners can help them avoid following the path of these former industry giants.

Paying more attention to focal point displays is just one way for budding entrepreneurs to conquer 2018. It’s also possible to downsize while still offering a variety of items via an online ordering system. A retailer can have thousands of products, but if they use their brick and mortar store simply for their new niche, they’ll be making the most of their space while still providing a wealth of products.

The retail trends of 2018 may seem gloomy, but retailers who downsize while utilizing display and marketing strategies that hold appeal will come out of the year successful. While retail spending is expected to increase upwards of 4.2 percent by the end of 2017, this will largely be driven by businesses that can effectively respond to these retail trends.

There are various considerations when it is time to invest in outdoor product displays, including durability, aesthetics and sustainability. Certainly, the initial capital outlay is important, but so is long term maintenance expense. Since most retailers hope to see their outdoor displays last years or decades, ongoing maintenance costs require careful consideration.

With that in mind, let’s compare and contrast two prominent materials used in outdoor display: natural wood and recycled plastic.

The Pros of Outdoor Wood Displays

For many retailers, the aesthetics of natural wooden displays have helped businesses cultivate a warm and natural image that appeals to live goods consumers. Custom-crafted, rustic wood displays are often used for displaying seasonal merchandise like flowerpots and pumpkins. Wood is typically strong, and able to support heavy objects. When needed they can be painted or stained to refresh faded and weathered wood to be more consistent with a store’s branding.

The most durable outdoor wood products are constructed using rot- and insect-resistant woods such as; cedar, oak, teak, eucalyptus and acacia. Although many might perceive wood displays as environmentally friendly, this is true only when timber is harvested from sustainable plantations.

The Cons of Outdoor Wood Displays

Unfortunately, the most durable hardwoods are also quite expensive. When displays are fashioned from pine or other inexpensive lumber, they require annual maintenance due to the impact of hot-cold and wet-dry cycles. High humidity causes unprotected wood to warp, while low humidity causes shrinkage and cracking.

The point at which the moisture content of the wood and surrounding air is balanced is called equilibrium moisture content (EMC). When the moisture content of the wood is higher or lower than that of the environment, the wood swells or shrinks in response. In dry conditions, wood may crack and joints may open up. Cut ends are particularly vulnerable to moisture intrusion, potentially leading to warping and de-lamination of plywood and veneers.

As a result, it is often necessary to apply a coat of varnish to the wood every year to reduce deterioration. Outdoor varnish is a fairly expensive product that often costs $20 to $40 a gallon. Labor costs for re-stained wood displays drive maintenance costs higher. Even with regular re-varnishing, the potential for wood swelling remains a drawback.

Advantages of SPC Recycled Plastic Displays

To compare plastic displays with wood ones, consider the durability and stability of outdoor furniture crafted from polywood. Many retailers find that displays made of heavy-duty, recycled plastic last decades, and they require very minimal maintenance.

Extreme heat and cold are no match for these rugged displays, and neither is excessive or extremely low humidity. They hold up at outdoor garden centers in California’s desert heat. And, when an Arctic blast pours down into the northern cold weather tier of states, recycled plastic displays prove their durability yet again. For example, SPC recycled plastic displays have survived Michigan’s harsh winters at Meijer stores for 20+ years and at various convenience stores/gas stations in the US and Canada.

Better yet, recycled plastic displays do not require the recurring maintenance expenses common with outdoor wood displays. Put away the brushes and rollers, because there is no need to apply coat after coat of varnish as the years go by. Since the color is molded right into the product, scuffs and scratches are minimized and are not distracting, and painting is never needed. Furthermore, lightweight recycled plastic displays are quick and easy to assemble and are sturdy enough to support a wide variety of products from one season to another, all year long.

As you consider plastic displays, understand that not all products are fabricated from recycled material. Displays crafted from non-recycled plastic are not “green,” because most non-recycled plastic comes from oil, a nonrenewable resource that increases carbon emissions.

About SPC

SPC Retail manufactures specialty displays made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled plastic. Our bold, versatile, modular display systems breathe new life into old spaces. Our patented kit-of-parts system allows us to quickly and easily assemble parts available from inventory into thousands of properly proportioned displays that meet the needs of our large and diverse global clientele.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/the-reason-why-wood-fixtures-are-not-all-theyre-cracked-up-to-be/feed/0The Influential Power of Children on Purchasing Behaviorhttp://spc-retail.com/the-influential-power-of-children-on-purchasing-behavior/
http://spc-retail.com/the-influential-power-of-children-on-purchasing-behavior/#respondTue, 17 Oct 2017 12:21:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1067Believe it or not, children have at least some say in as many as four out of five American household purchases. Their impact tends to be especially strong on food and personal care items. Kids often choose their own clothes as well.

You should keep children and their “pester power” in mind when you’re laying out and merchandising your retail store.

Your Youngest Customers

Children often learn how to become consumers — that is, how to look at products, compare them and decide which to buy — by observing family members. In fact, kids as young as 5 frequently know the items and even the brands they want their parents to pick up.

At the age of 7 or 8, children typically becomes aware that advertisements are biased presentations designed to influence their thinking. And when kids are around 8 years old, they have a deep enough understanding of the purchasing process to evaluate products in a rational way.

To describe how children decide which things to buy, sociologists depict a procedure with three parts. First, they realize they have a certain need. They then look through store shelves and perhaps at online merchandise. Finally, they figure out exactly what they want.

Catering to Kids

Given how savvy young shoppers can be, your store should offer them rewarding experiences. To begin with, put your kids’ merchandise on low shelves so they can see it easily.

Many retailers are careful to aim their food displays at children. They make sure that products like candies and sugary cereals are right at children’s eye levels.

Train your sales representatives to answer children’s questions in a crisp, friendly and thorough manner. Kids can usually sense when grownups are patronizing them.

You can cross-sell to children too. Group related items closely together — coloring books and markers, for instance, or knee pads and bicycle helmets. When their parents buy one thing, children might ask for an associated product.

Above all, make your in-store displays cheerful and fun, even as they drive home the message that “everyone needs these items.” Bright, colorful photos of children enjoying a particular product will get kids to envision themselves using it at home. Interactive displays with lights and sounds can be impactful as well.

In-Store Ads That Are Safe and Inclusive

Today’s kids are definitely accustomed to advertising. A child who watches two hours of television every day will see about 20,000 commercials in one year.

Nevertheless, marketing to children involves moral concerns. One way for your in-store ads to address those worries is to have them promote healthy behaviors as well as products. For example, they might depict kids smiling as they read or exercise. Thus, those materials would be doing a social good.

Also, try marketing to whole families. Show parents and children in your displays instead of just kids. Family-targeted advertising often leads to more sales than the child-targeted kind. Parents don’t want to feel like they’ve been left out of the equation entirely.

Keep in mind that parents will check out all the store displays their kids look at. Therefore, include some statistics, safety information or other content they’ll find useful and impressive.

The children who enter your store hold the fate of your business in their little hands. In shops all over the world, they’re the real decision-makers. If you find ways to grab their attention, engage their senses and delight them, your revenue streams should delight you in return.

Independent garden centers (IGCs) face plenty of competition nowadays, especially from large chain, big box stores that sell live goods products at the lowest possible prices. However, IGC owners can still maintain and grow a robust business presence in the marketplace. That’s because so many millennials are enthused about gardening and are looking for alternative shopping experiences that teach, inspire, and connect with their interests and lifestyles

If young adult consumers perceive your business as a gathering space and a fun place to learn about growing plants, you should find yourself with a devoted clientele.

Millennials and Gardens: A Love Story

About one out of every three millennials would like to grow fruits and vegetables, and more than a quarter of them want to know more about sustainable gardens.

What’s more, the marketing and public relations firm Garden Media Group reported a startling statistic in 2015. The average male millennial’s plant-related expenses exceed the average person’s plant-related expenses by $100 annually.

Yes, millennials everywhere have come to appreciate the joys, the challenges and the benefits of horticulture. However, they often call themselves “growers” instead of “gardeners.” Perhaps that’s because “gardening” sounds like a hobby and “growing” sounds like a serious endeavor, a way of life.

Even some millennials with small homes are cultivating plants. They’re setting up rooftop, patio and indoor gardens. Plus, those who like brewing their own beer often grow hops, which don’t require much space.

The rising popularity of home gardens is part of the do-it-yourself craze that has swept up the millennial generation. Large numbers of young adults enjoy making all kinds of things, from cakes to jewelry. This fascination has driven the popularity of Pinterest, a social media network dedicated to cooking, crafts and other projects.

Adults in their twenties and early thirties often combine their love of growing with other hobbies. For instance, some incorporate their air plants and succulents into homemade decorations. Others experiment with fruits and vegetables to create original recipes or use their woodworking skills to build trellises for vertical gardens.

Marketing Your IGC to Young Adults

Given that many millennials would love to learn as much as they can about growing, your IGC could host workshops that review gardening techniques, sustainable methods in particular. These classes will help your business stand out in your local area, and they may earn you glowing online reviews and positive word of mouth.

To market your workshops and other offerings, it’s vital to have an informative website that’s easy to read and navigate. You’ll also need dynamic social media pages. After all, approximately 66 percent of millennials will study a store on the internet before deciding whether or not to shop there.

In addition, update your YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook pages constantly, and use them to show off vivid photos and videos of your edible plants, decorative indoor plants and other green products. Also, promptly respond to customer comments on those pages. And, if it’s in your budget to do so, you might buy targeted social media ads to get the name of your business in front of local consumers.

In short, when you offer gardening workshops, your revenue will likely grow, your customers’ knowledge will grow and, all over town, beautiful new plants will grow.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/the-millennial-effect-on-independent-garden-centers/feed/013 Tricks for Eye-Popping Halloween Displayshttp://spc-retail.com/13-tricks-for-eye-popping-halloween-displays/
http://spc-retail.com/13-tricks-for-eye-popping-halloween-displays/#respondTue, 03 Oct 2017 12:00:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1023Over the decades, Halloween has become an ever-larger cultural event. Today, it offers frighteningly elaborate festivities for people of all ages. And, for retailers, it’s become a weeks-long bonanza before the holiday season gets underway.

Be sure to put out your creepy merchandise early. About 80 percent of Americans finish their Halloween shopping by mid-October. In addition, these 13 techniques should help you ring up some spine-tingly good sales.

1. Don’t Get Too Scary

Remember that you’re running a shop, not a haunted house. Unless you cater to horror fans or teenagers, everything should be appropriate for young children. Go easy on the sound effects and gory decorations, and keep the place brightly lit.

2. Don’t Overstuff Your Windows

It’s a bad idea to cram every Halloween product you’re selling into your store windows. Instead, leave some empty space. Your windows will be more visually appealing, and it’ll make your business seem like one that values quality over quantity.

3. Display Restraint

Likewise, take a minimalist approach with your interior displays. Each should exhibit just one or two popular items. That way, customers can really focus their attention on them.

4. A Costume Peek

Your bestselling costume should have a prominent spot in your window. Inside, set up tables with accessories for that outfit to get extra purchases.

5. Eyeing Candy

You can really sweeten the deal for your customers by putting out a small table with candy samples. Doing so will encourage last-second buys.

6. Taste Sensations

Group the candies you sell by flavor. Consumers tend to look for certain flavors, not certain brands, when they’re browsing for candy. Plus, some of your shoppers may discover new types of candy as a result and thus purchase more.

7. Party Hearty

Dedicate a display and merchandise area to Halloween celebrations. Many people will come into your store expressly seeking party decorations, favors and such.

8. Decor Galore

Start selling your upscale Halloween home decorations in September. And, when deciding where to place them, keep in mind that women are more likely than men to buy them.

9. Creative Procrastinators

Many men relish the idea of making their own unique costumes, and they’re often competitive about it. They tend to shop for makeup and accessories during the last two weeks of October, so have plenty of those goods on hand at that time.

10. Fur-Raising Clothes

Point-of-sales displays and end caps that show off pet costumes can be valuable. They should target women, who frequently buy Halloween attire for their four-legged family members.

11. Pumpkin Spice, So Nice

Throughout October, your food section should have a table with treats containing nutmeg and pumpkin spice. Every time autumn rolls around, consumers fall in love with these fragrant goodies all over again.

12. Highs and Lows

Here’s a rule of thumb for shelf space: Your scariest and most disturbing decorations, masks and so on should be positioned high up, at adult eye level. Meanwhile, candies, toys, kids’ costumes and anything else that appeals to children should be on lower shelves.

13. Color Me Terrified

Sure, black and orange are the main colors of All Hallows’ Eve. But, if your store relies too much on those two hues, it might seem a little tacky. To mix things up, throw in some grays and lush purples.

This fall, 171 million people in the United States will spend an average of $82.93 each on Halloween products. That staggering $8.4 billion total includes approximately $3.1 billion for costumes, $2.5 billion for candy, $2.4 billion for decorations and $390 million for greeting cards. Those are some strong incentives for retailers to get in the Halloween spirit.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/13-tricks-for-eye-popping-halloween-displays/feed/0Rise In Craft Beer Demand and the Impact For Retailershttp://spc-retail.com/rise-in-craft-beer-demand-and-the-impact-for-retailers/
http://spc-retail.com/rise-in-craft-beer-demand-and-the-impact-for-retailers/#respondThu, 28 Sep 2017 12:00:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1044Demand for craft beer continues to rise, a trend which retailers should follow with enthusiasm. During 2016, craft beer enjoyed 9.4 percent growth compared to the year’s average. This translates into an extra $120 million in sales, totaling $1.4 billion in yearly sales.

Retailers should consider arranging pop-up and point-of-purchase displays according to these consumer trends, maximizing prime display space to meet the latest demands of modern beer aficionados. Since these products already feature a loyal and growing following, improvements to in-store displays and advertising allow you to tap into a greater share of sales.

Importance of Local Craft Beer To Retailers

Craft beer now represents more than 10 percent of the United States beer industry, slicing into profits of giants likes InBev and Heineken. Over the last four decades, the number of breweries operating in the United States exploded from less than 100 to more than 5,000. This renaissance of beer has redistributed sales from the biggest international beverage companies to thousands of local craft brewers.

Customers still choose big brands at a greater rate, but you need to respond to declining sales to recoup potential losses. Industry reports show that 52.6 percent of all new beer sales are of the craft variety, with flavored malt beverages responsible for 37.3 percent.

Buying local is a popular theme among beer consumers who increasingly turn away from ubiquitous brands. Considering the proliferation of breweries in the United States, retailing local craft beers will help capture dollars fleeing from big brands to smaller brewing companies.

Displaying Beer Style Instead Of Brand

The rapid increase of breweries around the United States coincided with an assortment of newly popular beer styles, such as Imperial Pale Ales and high-gravity beers with a wide range of flavors. As brewing companies scrambled to meet demand for new beer, retailers had sufficient variety to group products according to the style of craft beer.

Grouping by style isn’t recommended for all shopping environments because of the potential for complexity. If you’re attempting to sell locally brewed beers according to style, you make it more difficult for shopper to find local offerings stocked next to big brands of the same style.

Fast-paced retail environments, like grocery stores, benefit more from advertising by brand because shoppers are much less likely to spend time figuring out which products are local. Arranging a single, well-designed display for all local craft brews will help them compete with big brands sold by large retailers.

Displaying beer by brewing style tend to be more successful for specialty stores and retailers who connect well with local customers. Store owners who take the time to chat with beer-lovers can direct customers to specific local brands advertised by style. Nonetheless, retailers should clearly display local craft brews, avoiding potential confusion.

Creating Retail Theatre For Craft Beer

Smart, attractive retail displays which captivate and educate beer buyers are essential for retailers who want to increase the sale of local brews. Presenting craft beers in a high-traffic area of the store interrupts customers on auto-pilot, attracting focus to the product. This raises awareness and increases the odds that the customer will buy during their next visit. The best displays create “retail theater,” utilizing local customs and symbolism in a flashy arrangement and linking craft beer to local production.

One great example of a crafty, craft beer connoisseur appears locally in Lansing, MI at Horrocks Market. Horrocks offers a unique display with their signature tavern, offering samples and beers to shoppers during their visit. They entice their shoppers with the bar theme, allowing them the chance to try a beer before they buy it. The Market features weekly events, including Taproom Take-Overs that promote the local beers and other varieties in an impressionable concept. The whole experience is like having a personal taproom, with beers abundantly on display for the shopper’s viewing, and drinking, pleasure!

Horrocks does an excellent job of showcasing their beer merchandise in-store. Another method to get the barrels rolling are pop-ups. Pop-up displays advertising a limited-time sale of popular craft beers also helps to increase buying, motivating purchase by implying scarcity. Another type of popular packaging is the “plus-one” craft pack. These types of display create a value-added situation, giving the customer the chance to try another variety of craft beer.

Craft beer represents 12.3 percent of overall beer sales, a number that will continue to grow. Effective display of locally brewed beverages ensure that retailers profit from continually rising demand.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/rise-in-craft-beer-demand-and-the-impact-for-retailers/feed/0Build Brand Trust and Loyaltyhttp://spc-retail.com/build-brand-trust-and-loyalty/
http://spc-retail.com/build-brand-trust-and-loyalty/#respondTue, 26 Sep 2017 14:19:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1035Building brand trust and maintaining loyalty to that brand is crucial to the long-term success of nearly every type of business. Customers must believe that your product or service will consistently deliver high standards. There are several aspects of building trust and brand loyalty that you need to understand to create and expand a successful business.

Why Do Brand Trust and Loyalty Matter?

Brand trust matters because it means you have a solid base of customers who will always buy products from you. This will protect your business against new competitors and lower-priced competition. Well-known examples of brand loyalty are Apple and Nike. People will stand in line for hours to buy the newest smartphone or a pair of shoes that costs $225. Both Apple and Nike have expertly nurtured these “brand best friends.”

According to Forbes, building brand loyalty is more difficult than ever due to the ease with which consumers can search for discounts online. This same factor makes creating brand trust more important than ever. From the earliest stages of a startup, developing customers’ trust should be a priority.

What Shapes Customer Loyalty?

Building customer loyalty is something that takes time, effort and conscious planning. You can develop a customer’s loyalty in several different ways.

Provide Value and Quality. The first step to building a solid customer base is to consistently provide a service or product that is high quality.

Always Be Transparent. Transparency can take many forms, one of which is access. The Guardian points out that the company Naked Wines provides an online platform that allows customers to interact directly with the winemakers.

Focus on Your Best Customers.Shopify explains that focusing on your primary customers means understanding not only who they are but also what’s important to them and how to reach them. Do your best customers spend a lot of time on social media or is it better to reach them through TV or radio?

Continually Engage Those Customers. Once you know who your primary customers are and how to reach them, it’s imperative to listen to their needs. Giving them special perks such as loyalty programs can make them feel welcomed and personally valued by your company.

How Can a Retailer Build Brand Trust?

It’s important to focus on finding a solution for each customer’s specific needs. This goes further than just focusing on the next sale. Arranging your retail space is a way to connect with the customer and tell the story of your product. Consistent color schemes and the appropriate lighting are essential to promoting your brand through retail display. Displays that are arranged throughout a business with customers in mind can act as “retail theater.” These types of displays should be set up in a purposeful pattern to be part of product storytelling throughout the store.

This also means engaging all the senses. Racks, display stands and retail store fixtures need to be attractive and engaging. Playing the right music can also have an enormous impact on what and how much customers purchase. Even the scent that permeates a store can affect buying habits.

How Can Retailers Maintain Customer Loyalty?

If brand trust is tarnished or broken, it can be very difficult to rebuild, and the results can be devastating. It’s important to keep connecting to your customers in new ways. According to Entrepreneur, pop-up events can provide your customers with fun and fresh ways to stay connected to your business. These events are normally located in high-traffic areas and often during busy times, such as the holidays.

SPC Retail can help you arrange your selling space with the needs of your customer in mind. They can create promotional displays using affordable fixtures that are durable, versatile and great for the environment. They work with both small and large businesses. Contact SPC Retail for more information.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/build-brand-trust-and-loyalty/feed/0Get the Audience Laughing: Incorporating Humor Into Retail Displayshttp://spc-retail.com/get-the-audience-laughing-incorporating-humor-into-retail-displays/
http://spc-retail.com/get-the-audience-laughing-incorporating-humor-into-retail-displays/#respondThu, 21 Sep 2017 12:00:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=1028For many customers, direct selling is a turnoff. They want to walk into your store without being pushed to buy anything. They also don’t want to feel like they are parting with their hard-earned money too soon.

So how do you appeal to a customer’s emotions and still generate more retail sales? By incorporating humor.

If used properly, humor can be a big asset. Besides making you stand out from your competition, it also helps to relax the buyer, keep them coming back for more, and will likely get them to tell others about your product. Data shows that more people will take action on a product if it has made them laugh.

How to Incorporate Humor Into Displays and Marketing

There are both benefits and risks to using humor. You need to be wise about how you employ it as a marketing strategy in your stores. Consider whether the humor you used is in line with your brand vision. Take into account your customer’s values and personality as well. Are they likely to “get it” or be turned off by it?

For example, if you are a high-end jewelry store, you might not want to use toilet humor or other such jokes in your ads and store displays. You should come across as classy, but with a hint of fun.

Used in the correct tone, humor, satire or comedy can be appealing to shoppers. It should reflect your image and something you would not be ashamed to have people laughing about.

Outline Your Goal

As a retailer, what is your ultimate goal? You could use funny signage that are seen through your front windows or porch area. Remember, you want your shoppers to feel relaxed and even come into your store — and leave — smiling and feeling good. Whatever your tactic, make sure that it relieves stress and does not enhance it.

People will often take pictures on their mobile phones of things that amused them during the day, then share with their friends and networks on social media. This has happened for a number of “boring” brands who used humor as a marketing tactic — and it worked.

Try to appeal to this side of people. Get them talking about you in a good way. To help generate sales or reassure shoppers, tactful, funny signage can be included on the shelves and at registers.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be a big, expensive production to appeal to a client. Simple yet funny and heartwarming signage may just do the trick.

In the saturated sales industry, humor can be your secret weapon to beat all the other competition. Let your company’s personality shine by standing out with quality and wit.

Understand Your Customer

This is our last but most essential point. In this day and age, customer engagement is essential for sales.

Avoid appearing offensive or ignorant (this can happen when a joke does not resonate well with shoppers or if your type of shopper does not understand the joke) and always ensure that the humor used connects with your brand and your audience.

If you position yourself as a brand to go to for good vibes, a positive outlook and, at the end of the day, some witty humor, you’ll keep reeling the customers in without even trying too hard.

Garden retailers are not exempt from creating an exceptional shopping experience for their customers. Bree Cady, our Retail Brand and Strategy Expert, is sharing with you three actionable tips on how you can easily activate a Brand Soul strategy that cultivates a deeper, more meaningful connection with shoppers by unleashing the fun, magnetic personality of your brand.

TIP #1: Be Authentic

It critical that you demonstrate who you are as a brand. Branding is not about your logo or having a cool website, but it’s the small nuances that fall between the cracks when talking about your products or pricing. It’s the little, but important tidbits of what sets you apart from the other garden centers in the area. First you need to identify your core values and what makes you unique as a retailer. Once you have determined what those are, make efforts to reflect that in your retail layout, merchandising strategies, and in how your staff interacts with your customers.

TIP #2: Be Knowledgeable

You may be the garden center down the road, but aren’t you also the source of knowledge on how to NOT kill the hydrangea? Millennials especially are increasingly becoming more interested in gardening, but don’t know where to start or how to care for the plants they purchase. You need to be the information source for your customers by educating them on what plants pair well together, tips for planting, or how much water a plant may need. You can do this by hosting education events at your store, creating focal displays that put plant pairings together, using signage and graphics around your store that provide helpful tips and tricks, and having educated staff on hand to help customers as needed.

TIP #3: Be A Destination

Enticing shoppers to come back again and again hangs heavily on designing a retail environment that is fun and exciting. Keeping the space new and inspirational will create that coveted brand loyalty every retailer desires. Make space for visual and inspirational focal areas throughout your retail store that tells a story. Make a DIY project come to life with refreshing and easy to accomplish ideas that inspire your shoppers. Give your customers a sense of ownership and the confidence to create these ideas at home and you’ll see them again and again.

Activating your Brand Soul doesn’t have to be hard, just be yourself, be the go-to source of information and give your shoppers a reason to come back. Every brand has a soul, it’s time you activate yours! For more ideas on Activating your Brand Soul check out our 2017 Live Goods Look Book.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/3-tips-for-activating-your-brand-soul-video/feed/05 Ways Point of Sale Displays Can Pull in More Traffichttp://spc-retail.com/5-ways-point-of-sale-displays-can-pull-in-more-traffic/
http://spc-retail.com/5-ways-point-of-sale-displays-can-pull-in-more-traffic/#respondTue, 27 Jun 2017 12:30:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=978As more retail stores have to upgrade their marketing tactics to attract today’s shopper, it’s clear that the point of sale (POS) is one of the most important pieces for investors and retailers to pay attention to. From modular retail displays to more traditional display stands, it is possible to attract more buyers to your business and products.

Here are five ways to optimize your POS so that you guarantee more satisfied customers, and more sales.

1. Connecting Online Presence With In-Store Experience

Nowadays, it’s rare to find a buyer who hasn’t first looked at the product and store reviews before going out to purchase the item. Retail News tells us that many consumers will only trust the companies who have a strong online presence. One way to connect the online presence with the in-store retail experience is to include QR codes on the display graphics of your point of sale. This directs buyers to your website, where they can later get more information or become part of your newsletter list. Once on your website, they can also find more about your exclusive deals, and you build up a following of online customers.

2. Curbside Appeal

How do you advertise in a more appealing way? Curbside signs and displays catch a shopper’s eye instantly. To draw customers in, make sure your signs are attractive. If your store has large windows, it’s important that sightlines into the store are intriguing and showcase what products shoppers can expect to find. Additional elements at the curb, such as witty messages, seasonal products, hosting special events and temporary pop-up shops will peak curiosity, pull shoppers in and generate visual excitement and interest.

3. Convenient Store Layout

Your store layout must be highly organized and encourage strolling. If it has visual appeal and helps the customer to navigate their way around easily without getting lost or confused, they’ll have a more fun time in your store, stay longer, and likely find something they will want to purchase.

Pay attention to your threshold, say researchers at Shopify. It’s the first space your customers and potential buyers set foot in as they enter the store. The three things to focus on here are good lighting, proper display and color schemes. Did you know that 90 percent of customers subconsciously turn to the right when entering a store? Tie this into your layout planning by making sure the first impressions as they turn in that direction are pleasant ones.

4. Sales! Sales! Sales!

Whether they are value customers or not, people are more likely to go into a store when sales are clearly advertised. Sales can incorporate visual stimuli. The color red is known to grab a person’s attention or cause them to look closer. Also grab their attention with call to action signs — “limited offer” or “buy now” can encourage them to make a decision on the spot. A case study by ConversionXL showed that it was possible to increase sales by 332 percent with this sense of urgency portrayed in a POS.

5. Mobile Payment Solutions

How digital is your point of sale? How connected are you to your customers and are you attracting them on a daily basis? It is possible to do this by offering mobile payment solutions, so that buying is easy, right at the tip of their fingers. As the increasing trend to use mobile banking and credit cards grows, retailers need to keep up with new technology and raise their digital standards.

For more tips on better retail sales and practices, follow our blog and updates.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/5-ways-point-of-sale-displays-can-pull-in-more-traffic/feed/0Growth in the Global Greenhouse Market: 4 Ways Retailers Can Benefithttp://spc-retail.com/growth-in-the-global-greenhouse-market-4-ways-retailers-can-benefit/
http://spc-retail.com/growth-in-the-global-greenhouse-market-4-ways-retailers-can-benefit/#respondWed, 07 Jun 2017 12:19:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=969According to a report published by Markets and Markets, a leading research firm, the global commercial greenhouse market is estimated to be a valued at $19.48 billion (as of end of 2015). On top of that, the industry is expected to grow at an average of 8.8 percent through 2020.

Clearly, going green is more than just a fad. A definite shift towards sustainability is occurring and will only continue to grow.

How can greenhouse retailers within the greenhouse industry take advantage of this long-term trend? Here are four tips that can help.

1. Make sure you’re running year-round

With the industry on the rise, it means there is more opportunity throughout the year. Normally, garden centers depend on holidays and when popular plants and flowers bloom for a good portion of revenue. Now is the chance to start preparing for year-round customer traffic and income.

Nursery retailers can benefit by constantly having fresh stock of live goods. For example, in winter, having plants that thrive in cold weather like the camellia, winterberry and paper birch tree are a must. Additionally, you can ramp up local marketing activities during such times. This way, more people will know you’re the store that can keep their home or business green throughout the year.

This is all the more reason to set up aesthetically appealing retail displays and signage that reflect the live goods you sell and the lifestyle your shoppers live. So, if you run a garden center or greenhouse, start using plants as a decoration. It will make the place more lively and drive more purchases (as the research suggests). It will also help grab more of this increasingly larger market.

3. Develop a sound marketing strategy

With the greenhouse market exploding, you have to find ways to get people to know about your brand. That means you need a growth-centered marketing campaign. Don’t panic: This doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

There are many things you could do. Of course, you must be on social media. Creating blog content that’s focused on the local market helps. You can even just hand out flyers at popular local spots. Also, you could offer free gardening classes, like Whole Foods offers with its cooking classes; free classes would help drive people to your store, with the hopes they’ll make a purchase after the class and become lifelong customers.

Instead, focus on using easy-to-assemble yet strong display products. For instance, displays made of heavy-duty recycled plastic can be put together in minutes and withstand decades of use. With such displays, you can create pop-up displays, promotional aisles, and even outside sales areas in minutes. This ensures you can expand your revenue and actually capitalize on the growing popularity of garden centers.

Winning more market share in the greenhouse industry

To capitalize on this growing market, follow these four tips to ensure constant customer traffic throughout the year and for years to come. Pay attention to any changes in the industry as well–and always be ready to capitalize on trends. Stick with the plan, and you’ll achieve sustainable growth for decades.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/growth-in-the-global-greenhouse-market-4-ways-retailers-can-benefit/feed/0How to Turn Unused Outdoor Space into a Profitable Revenue Streamhttp://spc-retail.com/how-to-turn-unused-outdoor-space-into-a-profitable-revenue-stream/
http://spc-retail.com/how-to-turn-unused-outdoor-space-into-a-profitable-revenue-stream/#respondWed, 31 May 2017 13:36:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=953Take a minute and think back to your grade school English class where the teacher taught you that every paper needs to have a hook, line, and sinker. Do you remember how the trickiest part was coming up with the hook? You learned that without the hook to pull the reader in and persuade them to continue reading, the work you put into writing the perfect paper wouldn’t matter. This theory applies to retail as well. If the front of your store doesn’t tell your brand story or entice someone to walk through your doors, it will not matter how good your in-store environment is because it will remain elusive to your consumers.

The front of your store is the welcome mat. It’s what pulls shoppers in to see what awaits inside. Your front porch needs to be inviting from far beyond the parking lot. In this article, you will learn about two ways to turn your unused outdoor retail space into a new profitable revenue stream, that will pull shoppers in!

Breathe Life Into Your Front Porch

Did you know that 26.6 Billion dollars is spent each year on live goods? And, 2.5 Billion of that is spent on the growing trend of food gardens alone. Creating a live goods destination on your front porch is a simple and effective way to make a great first impression that draws customers in and generates a new revenue stream.

At SPC, we have designed and implemented thousands of live goods programs of most every size and type. Here are a few things we’ve learned along the way that have contributed to the success of front porch live good strategies:

Have Healthy, High-Quality Live Goods Offering – It’s better to be narrow than deep when it comes to your live goods product mix. Make sure to choose plants that are easy to maintain and that you have the resources available for maintaining a healthy product mix.

Create Visually Interesting Displays – Plants and flowers add a colorful, fresh and vibrant energy to your front porch area. It’s a wonderful way to tell a story and cross-sell with other products such as grills, patio furniture, and lawn care essentials.

Help Shoppers Succeed – Educate, inform and engage them in the live goods lifestyle. If they succeed in having a green thumb, they’ll come back to shop with you and will become a loyal customer.

When properly implemented, these tactics will transform unused space into a front porch live goods program that will make your store more attractive and convenient for your shoppers.

Take It To The Pump

C-Stores are not exempt when it comes to creating a visually appealing entrance that is welcoming to its customers. In fact, C-Stores have been expanding their product assortment to such an extent to meet customer demands, that they are slowly running out of merchandising space inside their stores. Therefore, it has become more prevalent that C-Stores consider using their sidewalks and islands around the pumps for additional selling space.

At SPC, we have successfully designed and executed outdoor merchandising programs for C-Store chains across North America. Throughout our experiences we have seen time and time again that C-Stores chains who implement an outdoor merchandising strategy benefit in these three ways:

Expand the Sales Floor – Bulk merchandise, such as cases of water and soda, coolant, and windshield fluid take up a lot of space. Creating an outdoor sales floor is a great way to bulk stack these larger items to free up space in-store for a new product mix.

New Revenue Stream with Minimal Investment – C-Stores can take advantage of seasonal products such as fire wood, mulch, windshield solvent, or de-icing salt that they would typically not carry due to limited space. Placing these items at in the Front Porch is a great way to pull shoppers in from the pump, offer additional convenience and promote add-on-sales.

Invest In A System That Works

Regardless of the type of retailer you are, there are plenty of ways to utilize the un-used space in front of your stores that you are already paying for. However, as good as any idea may be, if you don’t have the tools to properly execute an outdoor merchandising program it becomes a large undertaking. At SPC Retail, we pride ourselves on being the experts in designing and executing outdoor merchandising programs. Our displays are extremely versatile, easy-to-assemble, durable, and affordable. Many of our customers get decades of use out of our displays, using them year-round, indoors and outdoors.

Check out our blog post: 5 Retail Displays for Outdoor Merchandising

]]>http://spc-retail.com/how-to-turn-unused-outdoor-space-into-a-profitable-revenue-stream/feed/0Perk Up Boomers Health with Plantshttp://spc-retail.com/perk-up-boomers-health-with-plants/
http://spc-retail.com/perk-up-boomers-health-with-plants/#respondTue, 23 May 2017 12:30:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=963If you look around, you’ll see them. They don’t usually call much attention to themselves, they’re off living their lives, and going quietly about their favorite activates. But let’s face facts: 50 percent of the adult population will be aged 50 or older in 2017. While it may be tempting to jump on the popular trend of marketing to Millennials, you shouldn’t be so quick to revolutionize retail for these younger generations.

Your business needs to continue to be inviting to the Baby Boomer generation. According to a U.S. News Market Insights Baby Boomer report 70 percent of all disposable income in America is controlled by Boomers. Moreover, thirty-five percent of couples and singles who have passed the half-century mark have a total household income over $100,000.

That’s a lot of buying power. To attract the attention of these consumers, you need to be sure you have products that these Boomers want. It doesn’t matter whether you’re selling food, clothing, auto parts or construction goods — you want to capture the attention of these Americans.

Nothing grabs attention more than flowers and live plants due to the socio-emotional effects they have on health and behavior. Once you understand these benefits, you will want to implement a Live Goods program in your store to capture the attention of the Baby Boomer generation.

Flowers Are Good for What Ails You

Aging is not without its pitfalls. We face the specter of altering health that forces unwanted lifestyle changes. Americans 50 and older are more at risk for depression, memory impairment and social withdrawal.

Rutgers University of New Jersey took an interest in finding ways to lessen the daily life anxieties of aging Americans. Behavioral research conducted at Rutgers found a simple method of perking up the mood of older generations: live plants, specifically flowers. The study concluded that flowers ease the grip of depression, encourage social interaction and provide a refreshing boost to a sluggish memory, especially in women.

When people are feeling better, we’re more likely to be out and about and more likely to be shopping.

A Touch of Nature Goes a Long Way

According to the Rutgers study, 81 percent of the participants reported an improvement in their moods and a decline in depression after receiving flowers. A full 40 percent increased their social interactions with family and friends, even moving beyond their usual circles. The study concludes that even a small presence of nature, especially flowers and plants, can have an outstanding impact on the well-being of aging people.

It is human nature to crave that which makes us feel better. A display of live plants and flowers should be a priority in any retail outlet.

Breathe Life into your Retail Environment

Are your retail store fixtures meeting the needs of today’s Boomer? Is your merchandise displayed in a way that appeals to these shoppers? Is your product mix capturing their attention? If not, you could be missing out on a large group of customers.

By incorporating a live goods area in your retail environment, your store will become more appealing and enticing to shoppers. Here are three quick tips on how to breathe life into your retail environment.

TIP #1: Long rows of straight benching running the length of the aisle can become overwhelming. Replace those long, seemingly endless rows with modular displays that break up the never-ending lines. Divide your products into categories, and offer organized display racks that don’t require the customer to kneel to the floor or stretch to the ceiling to obtain an item.

TIP #2: Make certain you have a display of live plants near your front door, or expand your selling space outside to your front porch. Modular displays with cheerful flowers and inviting live plants are just the thing to welcome customers into your business.

TIP #3: Take the guesswork out gardening by placing items together that would go together in an actual garden. Inspire shoppers by creating a display with a cohesive theme, such as colors that complement one another or a display of edible plants.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/perk-up-boomers-health-with-plants/feed/0Plant Nurseries Seeing Fewer Pesticides Harmful to Beeshttp://spc-retail.com/plant-nurseries-seeing-fewer-pesticides-harmful-to-bees-what-it-means/
http://spc-retail.com/plant-nurseries-seeing-fewer-pesticides-harmful-to-bees-what-it-means/#respondTue, 09 May 2017 12:00:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=946If you’ve turned on the news even once over the past decade, you’ve heard about the huge declines in bee populations. Much of this is believed to be related to certain harmful pesticides bees were exposed to, whether they were frequenting flowers around a farm or in a greenhouse. However, in 2017 if you procure your flora from plant nurseries, a promising change is taking place to prevent the harming of Bees in plant cultivation.

Dangerous Pesticides Decreasing

There’s no doubt that certain pesticides have been detrimental to bee populations. In fact, an 18-year study concluded that one form of pesticide was linked to “large-scale population extinctions.” And while many might view plant nurseries as a green industry, recent research showed that this wasn’t fully true.

In fact, tests at plant nurseries in 2013 and 2014 found that over half of the trees and plants sampled contained levels of pesticides that were potentially fatal for bees. Of course, plant nurseries weren’t the worst offenders in this area. In one South Carolina county, for instance, millions of bees died within moments of each other when the state sprayed mosquito killer via airplane.

It seems, however, that plant nurseries recognized the problem and began fighting back. The most recent tests conducted on the nation’s plant nurseries found that less than 25 percent of nursery flora contained dangerous levels of pesticides. This is a marked improvement over the samples taken between 2013 and 2014.

Benefits of This New Reality

Some who aren’t very informed on the bee issue may look at the decline in populations and say, “So what? They’re just a few bees.” This couldn’t be any further from the truth. And, as plant nurseries utilize less destructive pesticides, you could see benefits in a relatively short amount of time.

The simple fact is that a large portion of plants, including those that provide much of the world’s food supply, would simply disappear without bees to pollinate them. Hundreds of fruits and vegetables grown for human consumption depend on pollination by bees. The forage plants that livestock graze on are also dependent upon this pollination.

Since it’s speculated that colony collapse disorder is also caused by certain pesticides, it’s possible that this detrimental occurrence, which caused millions of beehives to collapse during a recent six-year period, could lessen as well. And if anyone tells you that plant nurseries alone cannot have a significant effect, remind them that the industry sees $41 billion in revenue and a 4.4-percent growth rate every year. Regardless of what anyone says, this is significant.

What This Means for Garden Centers

Whether a garden center gets its flora from a plant nursery or grows their own, the news of fewer pesticides presents amazing opportunities. First, it shows that large amounts of dangerous pesticides are not necessary for a bustling business. This means a garden center can reevaluate its use, and once this is done, the real marketing potential arises.

Over the past few years, social responsibility has become a huge issue for people around the world. In fact, over 40 percent of Americans state that they would pay more for a product if a company was committed to “positive social and environmental impact.” Regardless of what some people claim, environmental friendliness is certainly “in” and important to a growing number of shoppers these days.

Gardening centers can use safe levels of pesticide as a marketing point. They can also go the extra mile and toss “going green” into their marketing message as well. Beyond eliminating pesticides, by offering electronic receipts, utilizing energy efficient light bulbs, buying items such as tiered stands and using greenhouse benching and retail displays made from recycled material when possible, a gardening center can run a full marketing campaign based solely on eco-consciousness.

The reduced use of harmful pesticides in plant nurseries has huge implications for businesses and the world in general. This is certainly a step in the right direction, and if this trend continues, you might just see an end to the aforementioned “large-scale population extinctions.”

]]>http://spc-retail.com/plant-nurseries-seeing-fewer-pesticides-harmful-to-bees-what-it-means/feed/05 Ways Brick-and-Mortars Can Outshine eCommercehttp://spc-retail.com/5-ways-brick-and-mortars-can-outshine-ecommerce/
http://spc-retail.com/5-ways-brick-and-mortars-can-outshine-ecommerce/#respondThu, 27 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=936Today, more than 191 million people regularly purchase products online. In the last several years, the world of eCommerce has exploded, and new industries have popped up left and right as a result.

As it stands now, it’s possible to purchase everything from razors to groceries online and have them delivered to your door. While this online revolution has created thriving businesses for many people, it has also threatened the livelihood of brick-and-mortar businesses, many of which now find themselves in jeopardy thanks to the convenience and low prices of the online world.

Fortunately, brick-and-mortar stores can still outshine the eCommerce industry with just a few tricks. Here’s how you can make your store stand out.

1. Get Creative With Your In-Store Merchandising

One of the trademarks of the eCommerce industry is creativity. Dollar Shave Club broke the internet with their launch video and companies like Zappos are famous for their wacky and fun company culture. Compete with all of this by getting creative with your in-store merchandising. The more memorable you can be, the more likely customers are to remember your brand.

2. Personalize Customer Interactions

If you’ve ever shopped on Amazon, you know the website personalizes its customer experience by offering suggested content. You can do this in your brick-and-mortar store as well. Consider who your target audience is and how you can better personalize your offerings for them. For example, if you run a bike store in a city, your personalization strategy will be different from a bike store in a rural mountain town.

3. Provide Outstanding Customer Service

Zappos is one of the most dominant eCommerce companies not because their products are exemplary, but because their customer service is. Credited by Forbes with creating “the Ultimate Client Experience,” Zappos will go down in history for doing everything from making returns mindlessly simple to covering tolls for customers driving the Massachusetts Turnpike.

While you don’t have to go quite that far, outstanding customer service is crucial for any brick-and-mortar that wants to make it. For best results, make it easier for customers to engage with and access your brand, and ensure that you’re going the extra mile to fulfill your customer’s needs.

4. Collect Feedback

If you’re not collecting feedback from your customers, you’re missing out on opportunities to grow and change. With this in mind, poll your customers on a regular basis about what they’d like to see in your merchandise, offerings and approach. In addition to allowing you to be more competitive in your industry, this will also help your customers feel seen and heard, a tactic used regularly by eCommerce companies.

5. Emphasize Speed and Convenience

Two of the many things that have allowed Amazon to dominate the eCommerce world are speed and convenience. Members of the company’s Prime service can select from thousands of products and have them delivered to their door in two days. If they don’t like something, returns are simple and prepaid, and refunds are virtually instant.

Possibly one of the best things brick-and-mortar businesses can do is to take a hint from these companies. When you prioritize speed and convenience, you make your offerings more attractive and give your customers more enticing purchasing options.

The Future Is Bright for Brick-and-Mortar Retailers

While eCommerce has grown significantly in recent years, 94 percent of total sales still come through brick-and-mortar stores. With this in mind, companies who take pains to implement these simple strategies can compete with online retailers and keep their businesses strong.

]]>http://spc-retail.com/5-ways-brick-and-mortars-can-outshine-ecommerce/feed/03 Questions Retailers Should be Asking Themselveshttp://spc-retail.com/3-questions-retailers-should-be-asking/
http://spc-retail.com/3-questions-retailers-should-be-asking/#respondMon, 24 Apr 2017 15:13:22 +0000http://spc-retail.com/?p=925When you’re just another business competing in the big retail marketplace, how do you rise above your competition? The first secret is, begin with the fundamentals. Understanding how you can best help your customers and keep them engaged takes asking yourself the right questions, even before you set up shop.

Question #1: Who is my audience?

Do you know who your consumers are? Do you have a good idea of what they expect to get from their shopping experience at your store?

Understanding your consumers is critical for retail success. You should know and be able to pinpoint their age demographic, social class, ethnicity and particular needs. Along with understanding their demographics comes understanding your shoppers’ psychographics: simply put, why they buy what they do. What are their typical shopping routines like? What do they value? What are they willing to give up to purchase your products? Understanding customer value systems gives you a clearer idea of how they are spending their money, and how likely they are to spend it inside your store.

A unique selling proposition (USP) is what makes you stand out from your competition. But there’s no point having a USP unless you are showing it in your store in a way that your shoppers can understand and appreciate it. So get clear about this powerful point, and make sure you have it visually understood throughout your store. Whether it’s in your greenhouse benching, displays and fixtures, or the conversations you are having with customers when they walk into your store, your USP should be clear to everyone.

For example, it could be your clean easy-to-shop stores, incredible customer service, a hands-on staff who makes shopping a pleasure, or special product mix and hard-to-find items. It could be the fact that your displays are informative, inspiring and “edutaining.” While you’re rethinking your store strategy, this is one of the first questions you should answer.

Question #3: Does my store have a “Brand Soul”?

Brand soul is the deeper, more meaningful connection your store has with your shoppers. It’s the fun, experiential and magnetic personality of your brand. It’s what has the power to connect your audience to your items, making that sale almost instantly. And you need to connect your brand soul to that of your customers. When you can successfully do that, you will get your customers to notice how your brand is unique.

Your brand soul should be the uniting factor that everyone in your retail company understands. Your message and the way your retail store looks — even the way your salespeople look and act — should speak that message loud and clear. If you feel that all of your retail store fixtures are set up properly but something is still lacking, it could be this last point. Make sure that your employees know what your brand soul is, so that they can be effective when making a sale.

Once you’ve answered the above questions, you can proceed with proper retail store fixtures and set up the perfect retail display. Then you’re on your way to big wins with retail consumers! As design guru Stanley Hainsworth said, “Great companies read your soul…they give you something you didn’t even know that you needed.”